Most sources say Ronnie James Dio was born in 1949. This website, [url=http://www.dimwhit.com/dio/history.html]"Dio - The Early Years"[/url] says it's 1941, making him either 60 or 61 years old. He started college in 1960. There's a 1958 picture of "Ronnie And The Red Caps".

I had seen his date of birth listed as 1948 back in the 80's. We may not know his true date of birth until he dies - I'm seeing so many different years listed I have no idea which is correct.

But wouldn't it actually make him more amazing if he really WAS 60? A guy who can sing that powerfully and that aggressively at that age? And able to pull of a great album like Killing The Dragon at that age? That would be unreal.

Which is why I find it hard to believe that he is 60. 54...55 - maybe. Even at that age what he's doing is simply incredible.

quote:Originally posted by iwarrior:
Martin Strong's book The Great Metal Discography gives his birthdate as 7/10/47.

He was fronting a band in 1958 - not bad for an 11 year old. He graduated from Cortland High and started at U of Buffalo in 1960 - pretty good for a 13 year old kid!

Look through the history from 1957 to 1975, detailed on
[url=http://www.dimwhit.com/dio/history.html]http://www.dimwhit.com/di o/history.html[/url] .
It's well-researched and has so many facts supporting it that it seems very believable.

According to CLASSIC ROCK magazine, Dio's 63. I got the last issue (Robert Plant on cover) and it has a very positive review of KILLING THE DRAGON where the writer cracks jokes about Dio "enjoying his swinging 60's". I'm guessing that he IS in his 60's.
Instead of trying to cover up his age, DIO should play it up. His voice sounds, today, as good as it did in RAINBOW and SABBATH. He genuinely loves heavy music (this is a guy who thinks his song "mystery" stinks because it has a prominent and commercial sounding keyboard line!). I loved when he was asked about DEHUMANIZER and he said that even if it didn't sell as well as everyone hoped at least it was heavy, and that's all that mattered. Along with Jon Lord, Ronnie's the coolest old guy in metal/hard rock.

Let me clear this one up once and for all!!
As a member of the Sweden Rock festival management I have seen Dio's passport information.
He was born July 17, 1942, which makes him 60 this year. He was born Ronald Padavona. THIS IS THE TRUTH, I'VE SEEN THE PAPERS TO PROOVE IT!